Underwood earns her first Hot Country Songs top 10s since “Cry Pretty” reached No. 5 in April 2018. With that song, Underwood extended her record of linking 27 career-opening top 10s consecutively, encompassing all her country singles promoted to the format, excluding holiday fare.
After winning American Idol in 2005, Underwood began her Hot Country Songs run with her first single promoted to country radio, “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” which led for six weeks starting in January 2006. Her top 10 streak ended when “Love Wins” stopped at No. 14 in February 2019.
“Hallelujah,” which Legend wrote with Toby Gad, surged by 39% to 12 million U.S. streams in the week ending Dec. 24, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. It also sold 6,000 downloads in that frame (up 33%) and drew 2.6 million in all-format radio audience (up 64%) in the week ending Dec. 27.
On Country Airplay, “Hallelujah” debuts at No. 57, with 807,000 impressions at the format.
“Favorite Time of Year,” which Underwood co-authored, drew 12.4 million streams (up 41%) in the tracking week. It was released Nov. 13 as an Amazon Music exclusive and is a bonus track on the service on Underwood’s new holiday album My Gift. The LP, which includes 11 songs in its standard edition (the Amazon exclusive sports 12 with “Favorite”), debuted atop the Top Country Albums chart dated Oct. 10 with 43,000 equivalent album units. It leads the list for a fifth week, up 21% to 57,000 units, its best week to date.
The LP, Underwood’s first holiday-themed set, marks her eighth Top Country Albums No. 1, extending her record career-opening streak.
Meanwhile, Darius Rucker notches his 12th Country Airplay top 10, as “Beers and Sunshine,” which he co-wrote, bumps 11-10 (15.9 million impressions). The single is the lead track from his upcoming sixth solo album.
Rucker adds his first Country Airplay top 10 since “For the First Time,” which led for a week in June 2018, becoming his eighth No. 1.
He performed his latest hit on the 54th Annual Country Music Association Awards (Nov. 11, on ABC), which he also co-hosted with Reba McEntire.
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